# I've got an $8K Social Security check and I can't get to the money! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 27, 2016, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-got-an-8k-social-security-check-and-i-cant-get-to-the-money/753287 "2016-04-27T23:22:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-got-an-8k-social-security-check-and-i-cant-get-to-the-money/753287/41 "2016-04-29T07:52:14Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > A check-cashing place obviously has a bank that accepts third-party checks (probably in exchange for higher fees as a result of the extra risk). Individuals often do not. You’re not reading the OP either. She claimed that Social Security Checks can’t be signed over to a third person. She didn’t say that the bank won’t accept 3rd party checks. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-got-an-8k-social-security-check-and-i-cant-get-to-the-money/753287/42 "2016-04-29T07:53:32Z")
And of your bank does not allow you to cash 3rd party checks, you need a new bank. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-got-an-8k-social-security-check-and-i-cant-get-to-the-money/753287/43 "2016-04-29T07:59:44Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > And of your bank does not allow you to cash 3rd party checks, you need a new bank. Good luck with that. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-got-an-8k-social-security-check-and-i-cant-get-to-the-money/753287/44 "2016-04-29T10:43:54Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > Dude, seriously, suck it up and pay off your debts to the other banks. If you have anything left buy a car or use it for a down payment. . This. I assume you’re paying interest on your bank debts? If so, that will be a permanent drain on you (and stop you using bank services.) I realise it’s exciting to get a lump sum, but basically you’re in a bad way financially and really need to avoid spending more than you can afford. Get out of debt first. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-got-an-8k-social-security-check-and-i-cant-get-to-the-money/753287/45 "2016-04-29T13:12:38Z")
One thing that I imagine many are thinking but that hasn’t been expressly stated: IME a significant percentage of people who apply for and receive SS disability benefits have limited financial expertise, and - um - less than optimal financial histories. They may not think of the options many of us may take for granted, and for many reasons, those options might not be available to them. (The OP’s idea of a good car purchase may suggest his level of financial sophistication.) I repeat what I said before, SS works with people in the OP’s situation ALL THE TIME. It is what they do. They make - what - 60-70 million payments a month? Believe me, the OP is not the first recipient they have worked with who lacks a traditional bank account, lacks credit, etc. They’ve got an 800 number clearly posted on their website and on most (all?) mailings/e-mails they send. Having said that, you might have to wait on hold, or set up an appointment to get the answer you need. It ain’t Amazon Prime w/ guaranteed overnight delivery! 😉 And (gasp) SS might need to try a different thing or 2 to resolve someone’s unique situation. But if it has been determined that you are owed the $, they will figure out a way to get it to you. Working directly w/ SS should be the first and last step the OP needs to do. ---
**Author:** ![Carryon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc29f/32.png) [@Carryon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carryon)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-got-an-8k-social-security-check-and-i-cant-get-to-the-money/753287/46 "2016-04-29T13:28:38Z")
Try Bluebird by American Express. You get an AE debit card which is free to reload at any Walmart or via payroll or government issued direct deposit. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-got-an-8k-social-security-check-and-i-cant-get-to-the-money/753287/47 "2016-04-29T14:33:58Z")
> [@MikeG](#): > > Craigslist. > > I just test drove a 2001 es300 with 105k one owner. He was asking 3450 if I handed him 3 you know he’d take it. Only reason I passed is I have a line on a gs300. 105k is “low mileage”? ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-got-an-8k-social-security-check-and-i-cant-get-to-the-money/753287/48 "2016-04-29T14:46:19Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > 105k is “low mileage”? For a car from 2001 it is. That’s only 7k miles per year. ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-got-an-8k-social-security-check-and-i-cant-get-to-the-money/753287/49 "2016-04-29T14:48:55Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > 105k is “low mileage”? Absolutely! The es300 is an incredibly well engineered vehicle with top notch build quality. With just the minimum in maintenance you can reasonably expect to drive that car to 300,000 miles. I personally know a salesperson who travels, he has 450000 miles on his. He fully expects to hit 600,000. Now some will say the LS300 is even more reliable but there are more gadgets to break on those. So, great mpg, super reliability and safety, low risk of theft so lower insurance and now lower cost of entry make it a no brainer imho. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-got-an-8k-social-security-check-and-i-cant-get-to-the-money/753287/50 "2016-04-29T15:25:43Z")
> [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](#): > > For a car from 2001 it is. That’s only 7k miles per year. So a car from 1976 with 280K miles would also be considered “low mileage”? I’m only being a little snarky, but is that how the mileage is graded for used cars now? ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-got-an-8k-social-security-check-and-i-cant-get-to-the-money/753287/51 "2016-04-29T15:29:34Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > So a car from 1976 with 280K miles would also be considered “low mileage”? > > I’m only being a little snarky, but is that how the mileage is graded for used cars now? Well no. But a car from the late 90s and early 2000s can certainly still run just fine. Around 100,000 miles is really not that big a deal especially for the Japanese cars. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-got-an-8k-social-security-check-and-i-cant-get-to-the-money/753287/52 "2016-04-29T15:33:15Z")
> [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](#): > > Well no. But a car from the late 90s and early 2000s can certainly still run just fine. Around 100,000 miles is really not that big a deal especially for the Japanese cars. Thanks, I’ve just never heard that buying a car that is 15 years old and has 100K miles on it as a good deal. Guess I will start looking for an older Lexus to dream about 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-got-an-8k-social-security-check-and-i-cant-get-to-the-money/753287/53 "2016-04-29T15:35:15Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Thanks, I’ve just never heard that buying a car that is 15 years old and has 100K miles on it as a good deal. Guess I will start looking for an older Lexus to dream about 🙂 Honestly, for me 15 years is a bit old. I drive a 2005 right now with about 110,000 on it and I have no plans to upgrade anytime soon. It works for me because I don’t care about the fancy new technology (in cars, anyway) and I like not having a payments. Just depends on priorities. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-got-an-8k-social-security-check-and-i-cant-get-to-the-money/753287/54 "2016-04-29T15:51:04Z")
> [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](#): > > Honestly, for me 15 years is a bit old. I drive a 2005 right now with about 110,000 on it and I have no plans to upgrade anytime soon. It works for me because I don’t care about the fancy new technology (in cars, anyway) and I like not having a payments. Just depends on priorities. That’s cool. I drive a Kia :o ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/22080_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-got-an-8k-social-security-check-and-i-cant-get-to-the-money/753287/55 "2016-04-29T15:59:22Z")
I suspect since the OP hasn’t returned, none of the advice offered here was received. Or maybe it was received and found wanting… ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2016, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-got-an-8k-social-security-check-and-i-cant-get-to-the-money/753287/56 "2016-04-30T07:16:00Z")
Walmart wouldn’t just cash the check ? they cash checks here for 3 percent … ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2016, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-got-an-8k-social-security-check-and-i-cant-get-to-the-money/753287/57 "2016-04-30T09:01:49Z")
> [@nightshadea](#): > > Walmart wouldn’t just cash the check ? they cash checks here for 3 percent … I think he said they won’t cash checks over $5K. ---
**Author:** ![spamforbrains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@spamforbrains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spamforbrains)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2016, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-got-an-8k-social-security-check-and-i-cant-get-to-the-money/753287/58 "2016-04-30T16:03:23Z")
I don’t know how Walmart cards work, but if you’re getting all of your income loaded into the card, does that mean you have to buy everything at Walmart? If so, how are you going to buy gas for the car and make your car payments? And pay your rent? And if your credit is so bad that you can’t even open a bank account, who is going to loan you money for a car? ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2016, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-got-an-8k-social-security-check-and-i-cant-get-to-the-money/753287/59 "2016-04-30T16:54:52Z")
> [@spamforbrains](#): > > I don’t know how Walmart cards work, but if you’re getting all of your income loaded into the card, does that mean you have to buy everything at Walmart? If so, how are you going to buy gas for the car and make your car payments? And pay your rent? I believe it works like an ordinary debit or credit card, so you can use it wherever those are accepted. [Here](https://www.walmartmoneycard.com/about-our-products), it says you can even write a check like someone mentioned earlier in the thread. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2016, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-got-an-8k-social-security-check-and-i-cant-get-to-the-money/753287/60 "2016-04-30T17:38:44Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > Dude, seriously, suck it up and pay off your debts to the other banks. If you have anything left buy a car or use it for a down payment. You have basically stolen money from banks…you need to take care of that. It’s only going to get worse the longer you wait. Yes, please do this. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-got-an-8k-social-security-check-and-i-cant-get-to-the-money/753287.md?page=2)